Two-Year Experience of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation in Afzalipoor Hospital, Kerman, Southeastern Iran

Background: End-stage liver diseases are common in Iran. The only therapeutic option for these patients is liver transplantation. Objective: To present our 2-year experience of liver transplantations in Afzalipoor Hospital, Kerman, southeastern Iran. Methods: From November 2009 to September 2011, 12 patients underwent orthotopic liver transplantation in our center. Their data including demographics, indications for transplantation, MELD scores, post-operative complications and their management were collected. Results: Patients (7 women and 5 men) aged between 14 and 55 years. Indications for the transplantation included HBV infection (n=5), cryptogenic cirrhosis (n=2), Wilson’s disease, alcoholism (n=1), HCV infection (n=1), Budd-Chiari syndrome (n=1), and autoimmune hepatitis (n=1). MELD score of patients ranged from 16 to 30. All patients received tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetile and corticosteroid, postoperatively. 2 patients died of pulmonary and intra-abdominal infections with resultant to multiple organ failure. Nonfunctioning of transplanted liver and ongoing bleeding resulted in death in another patients. 9 patients are well doing and have excellent liver functions. Conclusion: We had relatively successful results in our experience of orthotopic liver transplantation. Vicinity of our center to Shiraz Transplant Center would be an important factor in this success.